Bicycle handle-bar.



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BICYCLE HANDLE BAR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Huma, 1904.

u n m n ,g2/ m il 7M fnv l Patented October 11, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURTON H. SILLS, OF BELLEVILLE, CANADA.

BICYCLE HANDLE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,841, dated October 11, 1904.

d Application tiled February 15, 1904. Serial No. 193,714. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURTON H. SiLLs, of the city of Belleville, county of Hastings, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle Handle-Bars, of which the following is a speciication. y

The object of my invention is to devise a bicycle handle-bar which will prevent the jar on the riders hands due to vibration on rough roads; and it consists, essentially, of ahandle-bar provided with a central offset hinged on an offset on the stern in such a manner that its upward swing is limited, a spring being provided tending to maintain the handle-bar in its normal position, substantially as hereinafter more particularly described and then definitely claimed.

Figure l is a side sectional elevation of my improved handle-bar. Fig; 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different Egures.

A is a handle-bar stem formed of a tube longitudinally split at the lower end, so that it may be expanded, as hereinafter described. To the upper end of this stern is secured an offset B, extending laterally and upwardly. On this offset is hinged the handle-bar offset C, preferably by means of a rule-joint, the shoulders a of which by engaging limit the upward swing of the offset, and consequently of the handle-bar itself.

The handle-bar is preferably adjustably connected with the offset in the i following manner: A split sleeve D is formed at the free end ofthe offset and lugs. t formed thereon, which may be tightened together by means of the bolt c. The sleeve D embraces the handle-bar E, which may be rotated therein and clamped in any desired position by means of the bolt e.

Within the stem A is closely tted a tube F, the lower end of which is plugged and has secured thereto the threaded stem G. This stern is adapted to screw through the expanding cone I-I. A pin d on the cone engaging one of the slits in the stem prevents the cone from rotating, while permitting its longitudipreferably tubular and provided with a solid head J. A coil-spring K is fitted within the plunger and the tube F and engages the bottom of the latter and the inner side of theA solid head of the former. When the parts are in their normal position, as shown in the drawings, the spring is in a state of compression. The upper end of the plunger engages'the under side of the handle-,bar either directly or preferably, as shown, in an indirect manner by contacting with the sleeve D or other portion of the offset B.

To aid the hinge in resisting the lateral twist, I preferably provide the sleeve D with the projection e, which fits within the groove or slot f in the upper end of the head J.

From the construction described it will be seen that I have constructed a handle-bar which is perfectly rigid as regards lateral twist and which thus is as effective for steering purposes as the ordinary handle-bar; also, that the handle-bar is perfectly rigid as regards its resistance to upward pull, thus being thoroughly effective in resisting the upward pull of the rider as the result of the reaction from the pressure on the pedals. It will also be seen that if any jar occurs tending to throw up the front wheel, and with it the head of the bicycle, the spring-actuated plunger permits the head to rise without affecting the handle-bars, which may retain substantially their relative position with regard to the ground. The theory involved is su bstantially that involved in the hygienic cushionframe. This construction will almost entirely do away with the disagreeable jar due to the vibration from running over rough roads, practically completing the work of adapting the bicycle for comfortable use on rough roads commenced by the introduction of the cushionframe.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction described and shown. Various other forms of spring may be arranged between the stem and the handle- IOO bar which will give the effect of the compression-spring illustrated. Other forms of strap might be employed to limit the upward move- Ament of the handle-bar, and various diliercnt arrangements of the hinge might also be employed.

It is evident that thc construction described and illustrated, though intended especially for handle-bars, is clearly adaptable for saddle-posts without requiring' any change in the novel parts.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A bicycle handle-bar; and a central offset thereon, in combination with a stem made expansible at its lower end; an oiiset at the upper end of the stem on which the handlebar offset is hinged; a stop limiting the upward swing of the handle-bar; an adjustingtube fitted within the stem and provided with a threaded stem at its lower end and shaped at its upper end to receive a wrench; a coned expander screwed on the threaded stem and suitably held from rotating; a plunger fitted within the adjusting-tube and adapted to engage the handle-bar; and a coil-spring within the adjusting-tube engaging the tube and plunger, substantially as described,

2. A bicycle handle-bar; and a central offset thereon, in-combination with a stem made eXpansible at its lower end; an otfset at the upper end of the stem on which the handlebar offset is hinged; a step limiting the upward swing of the handle-bar; an adjustingtube iitted within the stem; an expander fitted within the lower end of the stem; means for causing' the adj Listing-tube to operate the eX- pander; a plunger fitted within the adjustingtube and adapted to engage the handle-bar; and a coil-spring within the adjusting-tube engaging the tube and plunger, substantially as described.

Toronto, February 8, 1904.

BURTON H. SILLS.

In presence of- JOHN G. RiDoU'r, P. R. J oNns. 

